Outcome of occupational latex allergy--work ability and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
The quality of life (QOL) and work ability of health care workers allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL) were assessed after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves in Germany.


METHODS
196 HCW with reported NRL allergy answered a questionnaire (response rate 58%) containing the Work Ability Index (WAI), Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).


RESULTS
63.2% still had NRL-related symptoms during the last 6 month. However on a scale from 0 to 10, the intensity of NRL-related symptoms decreased from 8.5 before to 2.3 after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves. A higher number of subjects were able to avoid NRL in the private than in the work environment (85% vs. 61%). NRL-related symptoms decreased and WAI increased with successful avoidance of NRL at workplace (b = 0.23, p = 0.003). QOL was only little affected by NRL allergy (mean: MiniAQLQ = 6.0; DLQI = 4.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Although there was improvement after implementation of powder-free NRL gloves, there is still a considerable number of HCW with NRL-related symptoms. Further investigations on latex avoidance and the cause of persisiting allergic symptoms in HCW with NRL allergy are therefore needed.
Nienhaus
Albert
A
Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance in the Health and Welfare Services, Hamburg, Germany. albert.nienhaus@bgw-online.de
Kromark
Kathrin
K
Raulf-Heimsoth
Monika
M
van Kampen
Vera
V
Merget
Rolf
R
D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation